In May, WGVU re-broadcasts Henry Hampton's "Eyes on the Prize"

AP/Wide World PhotosCharged: Rosa Parks is fingerprinted on February 22, 1956History has a lot to say, but isn't six hours a long time for a documentary? Yes and no. In one sitting, maybe; but it’s not nearly long enough to show everything it could. Either way, it’s worth it to watch this time. Eyes on the Prize, a searing civil rights film, simply doesn't seem like just any documentary. Which is perhaps why it’s being shown by PBS as part of its American Experience film collection, which local station WGVU will be running for the first three consecutive Sunday nights in May.

Premering on DVD April 6 and produced by the late Henry Hampton, it pieces together the society struggles of the time and the battles during the tumultuous seasons of the civil rights era, which hit its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. A multiple award–winning film, it stirs up any feelings one may have had in the past about a time not many will forget and gives viewers a true sense of how anyone who tries hard enough can help bring about great change—especially if that change is truly deserved. Challenges, triumphs, heartbreak, and more than one impassioned soul are part of the film that will no doubt help both young and old celebrate, remember, and learn more.

Having won six Emmy Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, and the top DuPont-Columbia Award for excellence in broadcast journalism, Eyes on the Prize tells the people's story—how they came together guided by emotion and integrity, working tirelessly to make things right. Simple things weren’t so simple then—voting, riding the bus, going to school, even using the restroom, had to be fought for.
Produced by Blackside Media and narrated by political leader and civil rights activist Julian Bond, the series digs into what exactly went down, how it all changed so many lives and how, although years and years ago, these wounds are still healing.

The driving force behind Eyes on the Prize was Hampton, who as Blackside Media's founder also executive produced the series, was widely known as one of the most influential documentary filmmakers in the twentieth century.
Hampton’s sister Judi, who is also president of the company, contributed to the documentary. “It’s still a powerful story,” Hampton said. “I was living it when the film was first made and when I look at it now, I’m still amazed by the power of individuals that make courageous moves.” She said that the film of individual sacrifices joining to create great change is something we still need today.

When asked what she would add to the film if she were helping to create it today, she said, I would interview even more unknown individuals who made the movement successful. The movie is not only about Martin Luther King, Jr., but primarily about the people whose names you don’t know."
One of the things Hampton is adamant about is that Eyes is not only about civil rights, but about human rights.

“One of Henry’s main purposes in creating the series was to stimulate a national dialogue about human rights issues. My hope is that the rebroadcast and outreach will rekindle this kind of discussion and concern, and encourage us as a nation to re-dedicate ourselves to valuing everyone’s human rights.”

WGVU premieres Eyes on the Prize May 2, 9, and 16 at 10:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.wgvu.org